Many times during auditions, I was told that I couldn't carry a note with a bucket, and that I sure couldn't play the piano.

I never said I was a genius. I never said I was a cornerstone. I've never said I'm a legend in my own time. You never heard me say nothing like that.

I was born with music inside me

I was born with music inside me. That's the only explanation I know of

I'm not a jazz singer, blues singer or country singer. I'm a singer that can sing rhythm & blues, that can sing jazz, that can sing country. There's a big difference. In other words, I'm not a specialist.

My mom taught me a lot. A lot about minding your own business and leaving other people's business alone. And let them think what they want.

You ask me what I'd like to do that I haven't done and I say 'Nothin'!' I haven't any mountains to climb or oceans to swim. I've been an extremely blessed individual. ... I'm not clamorin' for more trinkets. If I were to die tomorrow, I could say I've had a good life.